BAOMS and HEE launch consent e-FACE module to tackle trainees’ lack of knowledge
07 September 2020 (Last updated: 7 Sep 2020 15:57)
A new e-learning module on consent goes live today as part of the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (BAOMS) and Health Education England e-Learning for Healthcare (HEE e-LfH) e-FACE project. This 12th module in the programme is designed to tackle the limited consent knowledge many young trainees have.
The sessions have been developed to demonstrate best practice, and are aimed at Dental Core Trainees (DCTs) and Specialty Registrars in oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS).
Loz Newman, the Consultant Maxillofacial/ Head and Neck surgeon who conceived this key module, said that consent is always important to surgeons: “This is increasingly so in light of the 2015 Montgomery V Lanarkshire Health Board case.” (*see below for information)
He explained that the module came about following a talk he gave at the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCSEng): “We were all concerned that young trainees are often sent to seek consent from patients inappropriately, for procedures where they have limited knowledge. We felt that not infrequently they were ill prepared for the task. Consent is barely taught in the undergraduate curriculum, and there is little in the post graduate curriculum.”
Loz Newman said that the idea is to provide consent process training for DCTs that offers them some form of protection with a certificate awarded once the module is complete: “This shows that they had had some formal training in consent that relates to specific surgical interventions in addition to aiding their learning.
“We thought it would be sensible to write clinical scenarios that would be more relevant and easier to digest than the more dry, legalese textbook approach to consent.”
The new eFace module includes:
- an introduction to consent that discusses the key principles of the consent process
- a series of short clinical scenarios that focus on commonly-performed procedures.
This is the third phase in the development of bespoke e-FACE sessions. Consent joins the existing 11 modules that cover the majority of the Dental Core Training Curriculum. The modules are a blend of curated sessions from existing HEE e-LfH programmes and new bespoke sessions. An e-learning ‘session’ lasts for 20 to 30 minutes, and ‘bite-sized sessions’ last for approximately five to 10 minutes. A ‘module’ is a number of sessions grouped together. They are available to access wherever there is an internet connection and are compatible with a range of devices.
DCTs currently working in OMFS departments should already be aware of the free-to-use material on the eLfH website. This has a range of easy-to-access eLearning across all of medicine and dentistry.
e-FACE Clinical Project Lead, Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Jason Green, commented: “It is really exciting to see new modules go live that will facilitate DCT induction. It has been especially pleasing to see how this collaborative approach has delivered e-learning content perfectly pitched at a level for new starters in OMFS and other healthcare professionals.”
Deputy Chair of BAOMS Council, Peter Brennan, added: “e-FACE is a great resource, designed to be easily accessible and to support DCT trainees working in OMFS departments. By completing eLfH modules trainees are already on the road to completing the BAOMS Foundation programme in OMFS."
For further information and interviews contact: Siân Evans on 020 8674 8921 / 07752 414433 / or BAOMS
Notes to editors
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